A new year, a new beginning. To get things off to a auspicious start, I rose at the crack of dawn. The first order of business was to get myself something to eat, and then, following tradition, I wrote some spring couplets to send to my trusted confidants. It’s a good way to grease the wheels of relationship and show them they’re valued.
By the time I finished all that, it was already noon. In the afternoon, I gathered a large crowd for a hotpot feast. With the school opening in a few months, I made sure to invite those scholars as well. Looking out at a banquet of over two thousand people, the scene was quite lively. I followed up with a long, rambling speech full of fluff. Amidst the cheers, everyone started digging in. To make them feel appreciated, I handed out 400 catties of rice to each person; after all, this stuff is still a precious commodity, and regular supply won't be guaranteed until after May. Every one of them was beaming with joy, even those scholars who had been "snatched" up—they were grinning wider than anyone. Who doesn't like being valued?
Of course, there were exceptions. For instance, the Wan'er sisters. Wan'er gave all of her rice to Dian Wei and Zhang Fei, and even made her sister hand over two bags. Those two fools were grinning from ear to ear. It seems this little girl is already planning something; she's started trying to buy people off this early. I silently lit a candle in my heart for that family.
Chapter 49